Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center
China's flagship cancer institute for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, complex solid tumours and cellular immunotherapy, backed by sixty years of clinical innovation, the world's largest NPC programme and one of Asia's leading radiotherapy centres.
About Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center
Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC) was founded in March 1964 and is one of the four earliest tumour hospitals in China. Located at 651 Dongfeng East Road in Guangzhou's central Yuexiu District, it is an affiliated hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, one of China's leading research universities under Project 985 and Project 211. SYSUCC operates as a Level III Class A hospital, the highest tier under China's healthcare classification system, and is the largest integrated cancer centre in southern China for clinical care, research, education and prevention. The Center has since expanded with a second site, the Huangpu Campus in the China-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City.
SYSUCC handles more than one million outpatient visits and over 118,000 inpatient admissions each year across 35 clinical departments, with dedicated units for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer, hematologic malignancies, pediatric oncology and many other tumour types. The Center is recognised as the world's leading institution for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Its Department of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma alone operates 167 specialist inpatient beds, and SYSUCC researchers have authored treatment protocols incorporated into NCCN and other international guidelines. The hospital also houses one of Asia's most advanced radiotherapy centres, two Da Vinci robotic surgical systems, a dedicated Biotherapy Center for cellular immunotherapy, and an extensive Clinical Trials Center supporting phase I to phase III drug studies.
SYSUCC is consistently ranked among China's top three cancer centres and is rated number one in the 'Top 10 Cancer Hospitals in China' rankings. It hosts the State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, the National Clinical Study Center for Anticancer Drugs, and the National Key Laboratory of Anti-cancer Drug Development. The Center has been a WHO Collaborating Center for research on cancer since 1980 and is a member of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). International academic partnerships include sister-institute status with the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center since 2003, joint research with the Karolinska Institutet (Sweden), the University of Warwick (UK), the Erasmus Medical Center (Netherlands), and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (USA). In the Nature Index 2018 ranking for healthcare institutions, SYSUCC was the highest-placed Chinese cancer institution and seventh worldwide among cancer centres.
CancerFax works directly with SYSUCC's international office to help patients from outside China access its highly specialised cancer programmes. From reviewing medical records and arranging the right department or sub-specialty consultation, to facilitating Chinese Medical Visa support, coordinating accredited translation of reports, and managing pre-arrival logistics, CancerFax handles the entire pathway at no charge to the patient. The aim is straightforward: ensure that families seeking SYSUCC's expertise in nasopharyngeal carcinoma, complex solid tumours and cellular immunotherapy can reach the right specialist without logistical or language barriers.
| Hospital at a Glance | |
|---|---|
| Country | China |
| City | Guangzhou (Yuexiu District, main campus) |
| Established | March 1964 |
| Hospital Type | Public Tertiary Cancer Hospital · Level III Class A |
| Accreditation | UICC Member · WHO Collaborating Centre (since 1980) · State Key Laboratory of Oncology · CFDA-certified Clinical Trials Center |
| Beds | 1,488+ at main campus; additional capacity at Huangpu Campus |
| Annual Outpatient Visits | 1,000,000+ |
| Research Focus | Nasopharyngeal carcinoma, solid tumours, cellular immunotherapy, anti-cancer drug development, precision oncology |
Why Patients Choose Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center
SYSUCC combines China's deepest expertise in nasopharyngeal carcinoma with comprehensive solid tumour care, a dedicated Biotherapy Center for cellular immunotherapy, and a CFDA-certified Clinical Trials Center, making it a strong option for patients with complex, refractory or trial-eligible cancers.
Cancer Specialties and Clinical Departments
SYSUCC delivers tumour-specific care through 35 clinical departments with dedicated sub-specialty teams for every major and rare oncology presentation, supported by an integrated research and clinical-trials infrastructure.
Advanced Treatment Capabilities
Key Specialists at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center
SYSUCC employs more than 3,600 staff including 1,446 physicians across 35 clinical departments, supported by a full multidisciplinary team (MDT) structure for every complex cancer case. The institution is led by President Xu Ruihua, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and Executive Vice-President Ma Jun, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and one of the world's most cited nasopharyngeal carcinoma researchers. Other senior leaders include Liu Zhuowei (urology), Zeng Musheng (research administration and international collaboration), and Sun Ying (medical affairs and informatics). Many SYSUCC senior physicians hold concurrent appointments at Sun Yat-sen University Medical Sciences and serve on national and international cancer guideline committees.
Sub-specialty departments are organised by tumour type, with dedicated teams for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, head and neck surgery, thoracic surgery, breast oncology, gynecologic oncology, liver surgery, colorectal surgery, gastric and pancreaticobiliary surgery, urology, hematological oncology, pediatric oncology, radiation oncology, medical oncology, biotherapy, nuclear medicine and minimally invasive therapy. Patients seeking a consultation with a specific physician or a multidisciplinary second opinion may submit their request through the CancerFax coordination process. We work with SYSUCC's international office to match each case to the most appropriate team before any travel is confirmed.
Patients seeking specific physician consultations or second opinions may request a review through the CancerFax coordination process before confirming travel or admission.
Clinical Infrastructure and Treatment Technology
SYSUCC's main Yuexiu campus and newer Huangpu campus together house one of Asia's most extensive cancer treatment infrastructures, integrating radiation oncology, robotic surgery, advanced imaging, molecular diagnostics, a biotherapy unit and a CFDA-certified Clinical Trials Center.
- Department of Radiation Oncology delivering IMRT, IGRT, VMAT and stereotactic radiotherapy and radiosurgery for complex tumour sites
- Image-guided radiotherapy and head and neck immobilisation systems optimised for nasopharyngeal carcinoma protocols
- Department of Nuclear Medicine for diagnostic and therapeutic radionuclide procedures
- âš VERIFY: proton therapy availability at SYSUCC (referenced in some secondary sources; not directly confirmed on the SYSUCC English website)
- Department of Medical Imaging operating MRI, CT, PET/CT and SPECT systems for staging and treatment response
- Department of Ultrasound and Electrocardiogram and dedicated mammography for breast imaging
- Department of Endoscopy and the Imaging and Minimally Invasive Therapy Center for image-guided diagnostics and intervention
- Two Da Vinci robotic surgical systems, with SYSUCC being the first Guangdong Province hospital to operate dual systems
- Robot-assisted laparoscopic procedures across urological (radical prostatectomy, partial nephrectomy, radical cystectomy), gynecological, colorectal and head-and-neck oncology
- Department of Minimally Invasive Therapy for interventional radiology, TACE and image-guided tumour ablation procedures
- Department of Molecular Diagnosis and Department of Pathology supporting NGS, immunohistochemistry, EBV testing and other biomarker analysis
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China with an automated tumour biobank capable of storing up to 6 million samples, including the world's largest NPC sample collection
- CFDA-certified Clinical Trials Center hosting the National Clinical Study Center for Anticancer Drugs and supporting phase I to phase III investigational therapies
International Patient Support at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center
SYSUCC's international office provides structured support for patients travelling from outside China, covering pre-arrival medical record review, appointment coordination and on-site navigation; outpatient services are 100% appointment-based and arranged through the hospital's official channels.
What to Prepare Before Traveling
- arrow_rightShare all pathology slides, biopsy reports, imaging (CT, PET-CT, MRI), molecular profiling and prior treatment summaries at least one to two weeks before your planned consultation date so that the SYSUCC team can complete a pre-arrival review and confirm departmental fit.
- arrow_rightApply for a Chinese Medical Visa (M or S2 category) at the Chinese embassy or consulate in your country. CancerFax can arrange the official hospital invitation letter required as part of the visa application.
- arrow_rightPlan your travel to Guangzhou via Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN), the nearest major international gateway, and your onward ground transport to 651 Dongfeng East Road in Yuexiu District (or to the Huangpu Campus if your team is based there).
To reach SYSUCC directly, the main switchboard listed by UICC is +86 20 8734 3008 and the English-language website is english.sysucc.org.cn. Please note that SYSUCC issues all official medical documents (records, test results, examination reports and discharge summaries) in Chinese only and does not provide in-house medical translation. CancerFax coordinates accredited translation of your home-country reports and your SYSUCC paperwork as part of our service, at no extra cost.
Patient Facilities and Accommodation at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center
SYSUCC's Yuexiu District main campus and the Huangpu campus together provide modern inpatient facilities, multi-tier accommodation, advanced ICU support and a dedicated VIP inpatient wing, all integrated with the Center's clinical and research infrastructure.
Family members accompanying international patients are encouraged to stay within walking distance of Taojin Metro Station (Line 5, Exit B) or in the wider Yuexiu commercial belt; CancerFax provides a curated list of family-friendly hotels and short-stay apartments near the SYSUCC main campus as part of trip planning.
How to Reach Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center
SYSUCC's main campus sits in central Guangzhou's Yuexiu District, well served by Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and two major high-speed rail terminals, with direct metro access via Guangzhou Metro Line 5.
How CancerFax Helps
CancerFax is a specialist cancer access and patient-navigation platform. We help patients and families understand their options, organise medical records, coordinate hospital communication, and support cross-border treatment planning where appropriate.
We help collect and organise reports, scans, pathology, biomarker results, and treatment history for structured case review.
We communicate with hospitals or trial teams to assess whether a case may be suitable for further screening.
We support appointment coordination, document submission, translation, and direct communication with international departments.
For international patients, we help with practical coordination — travel planning, hospital admission guidance, and local support.
If this option is not suitable, we help explore other relevant treatments, clinical trials, or advanced care pathways.
From inquiry through to follow-up, our coordinators provide a single point of contact for the family.
CancerFax does not guarantee treatment access, eligibility, or clinical outcome. Our role is to help patients access accurate information, structured review, and appropriate specialist pathways.
SYSUCC — Patient Questions Answered
CancerFax acts as your dedicated coordinator for the entire SYSUCC journey. You begin by sharing your medical records, including pathology, scans and prior treatment summaries, through our secure intake. Our clinical team reviews your case and identifies which SYSUCC department or sub-specialty is the right fit, whether that is the Department of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, Medical Oncology, Hematological Oncology, the Biotherapy Center or the Clinical Trials Center for investigational protocols. We then submit your case to SYSUCC's international office and work with their team to secure the right consultation.
Once your appointment is confirmed, CancerFax prepares your full pre-travel pack: itemised cost estimates from SYSUCC with no mark-up, Chinese Medical Visa invitation letters, accredited translation of your home-country reports, and guidance on transport, accommodation and what to bring. We remain your single point of contact through consultation, treatment planning and follow-up. There is no fee to the patient for any of this coordination.
SYSUCC's deepest expertise is in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), where it is recognised as the world's leading clinical and research centre, with 167 dedicated NPC inpatient beds and protocols incorporated into international guidelines. Beyond NPC, the Center runs high-volume programmes in lung cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, liver and hepatobiliary cancer, gastric cancer, thyroid cancer, esophageal cancer, and gynecologic and urologic malignancies. Hematological oncology and pediatric oncology are managed in dedicated departments, and the Biotherapy Center supports cellular immunotherapy and immune-based treatment programmes. If you are unsure whether your specific diagnosis falls within SYSUCC's scope, share your records through CancerFax and we will confirm the current departmental capability before you commit to travel.
SYSUCC operates a dedicated Biotherapy Center and houses the National Clinical Study Center for Anticancer Drugs and a CFDA-certified Clinical Trials Center, supporting phase I to phase III investigational protocols including immune-based therapies. âš VERIFY: the specific availability of CAR-T, CAR-NK and TIL therapy as routine clinical services for international patients varies by indication and by ongoing trial enrolment status, and SYSUCC is one of several leading Chinese centres in this space.
CancerFax submits your records to SYSUCC's biotherapy and clinical trials teams to confirm whether an active protocol matches your diagnosis before you make travel plans. If SYSUCC is not currently enrolling for your specific indication, we can also help you compare options across other leading Chinese cellular immunotherapy centres so that your treatment choice is based on what is actually available right now, not on outdated information.
Yes. SYSUCC's main outpatient services are appointment-only and the international office can review medical records remotely before a patient commits to travel. The standard process is to submit scans, pathology reports, biopsy slides where requested, and prior treatment history, translated into English or Chinese where possible, for review by the relevant tumour-specific team. CancerFax facilitates this submission, follows up with SYSUCC on your behalf and obtains a written preliminary opinion or treatment direction, typically within one to two weeks depending on case complexity and specialist availability. This remote review is especially useful for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, advanced or relapsed solid tumours, and trial-eligible cases before booking flights.
Consultation costs at SYSUCC are typically far lower than at comparable cancer specialty hospitals in North America, Europe or the Gulf, though exact pricing depends on specialist seniority (associate professor, professor or academician-level senior expert), the department, and whether same-day diagnostics such as NGS, liquid biopsy or additional imaging are requested. CancerFax requests an itemised written cost estimate from SYSUCC's international office as part of your pre-travel pack. This is shared with you at no extra charge and with no CancerFax mark-up on hospital fees. If you have international health insurance, we can also advise on the documentation SYSUCC issues (in Chinese, by default) and arrange medical translation for reimbursement claims after treatment.
Send Your Medical Reports to Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center via CancerFax
CancerFax reviews your records, identifies the right Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center department, and coordinates your consultation in Guangzhou, at no cost, with no obligation, and with complete medical confidentiality throughout.